Concrete or rubber? It can be tricky, especially when choosing the right wheel stop for your parking lot. With their unique advantages and drawbacks, how do you decide which is right for you? Here's a look at the pros and cons of each type of wheel stops to help you make up your mind.

What Are Wheel Stopss?

Wheel stopss are devices used to prevent vehicles from rolling too far, damaging property, or injuring pedestrians. They can be found in commercial parking lots. They come in various shapes and sizes, but all serve the same purpose, to help the vehicle stay within the parking stalls.

Types of Wheel Stopss

There are four types of wheel stopss: plastic, metal, concrete, and rubber. Concrete and rubber are the two most popular types used these days due to their durability and the ones we will discuss here.

• Concrete Wheel Stopss

They’re made of pre-cast concrete (obviously) and come in several shapes and sizes. They are the most popular type of wheel stops because they are durable and inexpensive. They can be installed using a rebar pin or epoxy.

• Rubber Wheel Stopss

They are fabricated from recycled rubber and come in many shapes and sizes. They are lighter in weight than concrete wheel stopss and can be installed using rebar pins or epoxy.

Concrete or Rubber?

Both types of wheel stops have their pros and cons. So, let's have a look:

1. Durability: Both are durable and long-lasting options; however, concrete's strength means that it is less likely to move or be damaged by the impact of a vehicle. On the other hand, rubber wheel stopss are much more resistant to weather elements, UV rays, and automotive fluids than concrete wheel stopss.
2. Cost: Concrete wheel stopss are cheaper than rubber wheel stopss. Rubber wheel stopss are made out of recycled rubber, making them expensive.
3. Installation: One person can install rubber wheel stopss quickly due to their lightweight, whereas concrete wheel stops require a longer installation time and many people or machinery to install them properly due to their heavyweight.
4. Use: Concrete wheel stopss may be an excellent choice for heavy-duty use, such as parking lots for trucks. Rubber wheel stopss are ideal for smaller parking lot facilities.
5. Environment Friendly: Concrete is neutral in its impact on the environment, while rubber wheel stopss are environment friendly as they are made from recycled rubber.
6. Appearance: Rubber wheel stops are available in various colors to match your parking lot and come pre-installed with reflective tape or paint before installation. This makes the maintenance of the rubber wheel stops easier. Concrete wheel stops can be customized according to your needs but require constant maintenance to ensure the paint sticks.

Which Wheel Stops Should I Choose?

Both options are close in comparison, and a lot will depend on your specific needs, budget, and use of these stopss on your commercial parking lot.

Proline Parking Lot Maintenance, the Greater Charlotte Area's #1 Pavement Maintenance Company, is a one-stop-shop for all your parking lot needs, from line striping to seal coating and repair.